Support for rural mail boxes, road markers, and the like



April 21, 1942. H. N. CALVERT 2,230,475

SUPPORT FOR'RURAL MAIL BOXES, ROAD MARKERS,- AND THELIKE Filed May 9, 1941 Patented Apr. 21, 1942 SUPPORT FOR- RURAL MAIL BOXES, ROAD MARKERS, AND THE LIKE Harold N. Calvert, Carrollton, Mo.

Application May 9, 1941, Serial No. 392,805

3 Claims. (01. 248-145) This invention relates to supports for rural mail boxes, road markers and the like of that type permitting the box or marker to be supported in a position accessible from the side of the road with the main supporting post well back out of the way 'of traflic; and an object of the same is to provide a support of this character which is of simplified construction and is not only capable of swinging movement away from and back to normal position but is also readily adjustable as to height with respect to the road surface.

Another object of the invention is to provide a support of the type specified having the advantages above noted and which at the same time may be readily fabricated from simple structural shapes.

A further object is to provide a support for road markers 'and the like having an interchangeable swinging connection with a main supporting member set back from the side of the road.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages will become apparent in view of the following description taken in conjunction with the drawing, wherein:

Fig. l is a .sideelevation of a device embodying the invention shown as supporting a rural mail box; and

Figs. 2 and 3 are disassembled views of parts of the support. v

The support comprises a socket ID in the form of a suitable length of pipe which at its lower end is connected to a hinge bracket H by means of a threaded coupling l2, said bracket in turn. I being pivoted to a hinge l3 forming part of or secured to a bracket l4. At its lower end the bracket 14 is secured to a main supporting post l5 by means of a bolt is and at its upper end by means of a bolt ll terminating at its forward end in a hook l8. Connected to the upper extremity of the socket member I0 is a chain l9 adapted for adjustable connection to the hook l8, and whereby the angle of the socket member with respect to the post may be adjusted to thereby adjust the height of the box or marker carried by the support. I

A pintle 20 preferably in the form of a length of pipe stock, is provided and is adapted for insertion in the socket ID and accordingly should be of a diameter such as will permit a bearing fit within said socket. At its upper end the pintle or pipe length 20 is threaded into an elbow coupling 2| which in turn has connected thereto the one end of an arm 22 terminating at its op- 55 positeend in a horizontally bent portion 22' which carries a mail box 23 and which may be substituted by a. road marker or the like.

With this type of support, the post l5 may be set well back off the shoulder of the road, thereby removing an unsightly driving hazard and permitting unhindered road shoulder maintenance. The adjustable chain and hinge connection allows for various slope conditions of the terrain back of the grade ditch, while at the same time should'any moving object strike the 'mail' box, it will swing out of the way and then automatically swing back to its normal position. This free swinging action also avoids damage to the hinge connection. Whenever it is desired to remove the mail box or other article supported by the arm 22, both the box and arm to ether with the coupling member 2| may be readily removed by simply pulling out the pintle or pipe length 20 from its socket l0, Furthermore, any number of articles may be interchangeably supported in this manner.

In-devices of this character, economy in construction is an important factor, particularly where a large number of road markers or the like are to be utilized, and the assembly herein disclosed may be readily manufactured from ordinary pipe structure and simple structural shapes, all of which are interchangeable and may be dismantled and carried in stock in a compact arrangement.

It will be understood that certain limited changes in construction and design may be adopted without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is: I

1. A support for rural mail boxes, road markers and the like comprising in combination with a main supporting post adapted to be set back oil the roadway, a length of pipe providing a socket hinged at its lower end to said post, a flexible member adjustably connecting the upper extremity of the pipe length to said post and holding the latter at an angle relativeto the post, a

pintle rod telescoped into said pipe length, and an arm connected to said rod and adapted to carry a mail box or road marker, said arm extending at an obtuse angle to said first named pipe length. I

2. A support for mail boxes, road markers and the like comprising in combination with a main supporting post adapted to be set back off the roadway, a bracket secured to said post and having a hinge member connected thereto, a pipe length providing a socket hinged for vertical swinging movement at its lower end to said hinge member, a chain connected at its one end to the upper extremity of said socket and its opposite end adjustably connected to said post and whereby the angle of said socket member may be adjusted with respect to said post, a. pintle rod telescoped into said socket and having an elbow connected to the upper end thereof, and an arm secured at one end to said elbow and at its opposite end projecting substantially horizontally for carrying a mail box or road marker.

3. A support for rural mail boxes, road markers and the like comprising in combination with a main supporting post adaptedto be set back off the roadway, a socket member hinged at its lower end to said postand projecting upwardly and outwardly therefrom, flexible means adjustably supporting the said socket member from said post, an arm carrying a mail box or a road marker at its outer end and at its inner extremity being provided with a socket portion having a swivel connection with said socket member permitting the arm to swing in an are if struck and return by gravity to normal position, said arm extending outwardly and downwardly at an angle with respect to the socket member, adjustment of said flexible member with respect to said supporting post determining the heighth of said box or road sign.

HAROLD N. CALVERT. 

